Software rewriting device

ABSTRACT

A software rewriting device, configured to rewrite software of a moving body, includes: a rewriting processing unit configured to execute a rewriting process of rewriting the software; and a communication unit configured to communicate with an accommodation area management device managing an accommodation area for accommodating the moving body. When the moving body executes the rewriting process in the accommodation area, the communication unit notifies execution of the rewriting process to the accommodation area management device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority of JapanesePatent Application No. 2020-050289, filed on Mar. 19, 2020, the contentof which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a software rewriting device capable ofrewriting software of a moving body.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, vehicles have been digitized and in-vehicle devices arecontrolled by a control device called an electronic control unit (ECU).Such a control device controls an in-vehicle device by executing acontrol program stored in advance in the own device. Further, atechnique capable of updating the control program of such a controldevice is also known.

For example, JP-A-2017-220091 discloses a technique of transmitting anupdate file to a reprogramming slave in response to a request from aterminal of a vehicle user to update a program stored in thereprogramming slave and sending information on whether a vehicle cantravel at the time of the update to the terminal or the vehicle user orthe like.

In the related art, technique which enables software of a moving body tobe appropriately rewritten in a predetermined accommodation area managedby an accommodation area management device has not been sufficientlystudied.

SUMMARY

The invention provides a software rewriting device which enablesappropriate rewriting of software of a moving body in a predeterminedaccommodation area managed by an accommodation area management device.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a softwarerewriting device, configured to rewrite software of a moving body,including: a rewriting processing unit configured to execute a rewritingprocess of rewriting the software; and a communication unit configuredto communicate with an accommodation area management device managing anaccommodation area for accommodating the moving body, wherein when themoving body executes the rewriting process in the accommodation area,the communication unit notifies execution of the rewriting process tothe accommodation area management device.

According to the aspect of the invention, the software of the movingbody can be appropriately rewritten in the predetermined accommodationarea managed by the accommodation area management device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of avehicle system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a parking lot managed bya parking lot management device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of a software rewriting device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the parking lot management device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a parking spaceinformation table;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of a navigation device;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a rewritingreservation process performed by the software rewriting device;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a rewriting executionprocess performed by the software rewriting device;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a post-rewritingprocess performed by the software rewriting device;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a parking positiondetermination process performed by the parking lot management device;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a parking lot searchprocess performed by the navigation device; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a usage reservationprocess performed by the navigation device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the software rewriting device of theinvention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.In the following description of the embodiment, an example will bedescribed in which a moving body in the invention is a vehicle such asan automobile and an accommodation area in the invention is a parkinglot.

First, a vehicle provided with a software rewriting device of theembodiment will be described. A vehicle (hereinafter, also referred toas vehicle M) provided with the software rewriting device of theembodiment is an automobile including a drive source (for example, atraveling driving force output device 200 described later) and wheels(for example, two wheels, three wheels, or four wheels) includingdriving wheels driven by the power of the drive source. As the drivesource of the vehicle M, for example, an electric motor, an internalcombustion engine (for example, a gasoline engine), or a combination ofthe electric motor and the internal combustion engine is used.

Further, the vehicle M includes a vehicle system 1 illustrated inFIG. 1. The vehicle system 1 has a function capable of performing alldriving tasks related to the vehicle M, at least within a limitedspecific area (for example, in a parking lot PA described below). Here,the driving task is, for example, a real-time driving function necessaryfor maneuvering the vehicle M such as controlling a left-right movement(steering) of the vehicle M, controlling of a forward-backward movement(acceleration, deceleration), and monitoring the driving environment,and a tactical function such as planning a traveling track.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle system 1 includes a camera 11, aradar device 12, a finder 13, a vehicle sensor 14, an input and outputdevice 20, a communication device 30, a navigation device 40, an driveoperator 50, a software rewriting device 60, an automatic drivingcontrol device 100, the traveling driving force output device 200, abrake device 210, and a steering device 220. The respective devices arecommunicably connected to each other by a wired or wirelesscommunication network. The communication network connecting therespective devices is, for example, controller area network (CAN).

The camera 11 is a digital camera which photographs the periphery (forexample, in front of vehicle M) of the vehicle M and outputs image dataobtained by the photographing to the automatic driving control device100. The radar device 12 is, for example, a radar device using radiowaves in a millimeter wave band, detects a position of an object in thevicinity (for example, in front of, behind, and to the side of vehicleM) of the vehicle M, and outputs the detection result to the automaticdriving control device 100.

The finder 13 is, for example, laser imaging detection and ranging(LIDAR). The finder 13 uses a predetermined laser beam to measure thedistance to an object (target object) around (for example, in front of,behind, and to the side of the vehicle M) the vehicle M and outputs themeasurement result to the automatic driving control device 100.

The vehicle sensor 14 includes, for example, a vehicle speed sensorwhich detects the speed of the vehicle M, an acceleration sensor whichdetects the acceleration of the vehicle M, an angular velocity sensorwhich detects the angular velocity around an vertical axis of thevehicle M, an orientation sensor which detects the orientation of thevehicle M, and the like. Further, the vehicle sensor 14 includes a radiowave intensity sensor which detects the radio wave intensity (that is,the communication environment) used by the communication device 30 forcommunication. The vehicle sensor 14 outputs the detection result ofeach sensor to the automatic driving control device 100. The automaticdriving control device 100 may output the detection result of eachsensor of the vehicle sensor 14 to the software rewriting device 60 orthe like.

The input and output device 20 includes an output device which outputsvarious information to a user of the vehicle M (hereinafter, also simplyreferred to as a user) and an input device which accepts various inputoperations from a user. In the embodiment, a user is not limited to aperson who manages or owns the vehicle M and uses the vehicle M. Forexample, a user may be a person who uses the vehicle M on their behalfat the request of a person who manages or owns the vehicle M.

The output device of the input and output device 20 is, for example, adisplay which displays information based on a processing result of theautomatic driving control device 100. The output device may be aspeaker, a buzzer, an indicator light, or the like. Further, the inputdevice of the input and output device 20 is, for example, a touch panelor an operation button (key, switch, or the like) which outputs anoperation signal corresponding to an input operation received from auser to the automatic driving control device 100.

The communication device 30 is wirelessly connected to a network 35 andcommunicates with another device provided outside the vehicle system 1via the network 35. The network 35 includes, for example, a mobilecommunication network, a Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth®, dedicated shortrange communication (DSRC), and the like.

The communication device 30 communicates with, for example, a terminaldevice 300 carried by a user, a parking lot management device 400 whichmanages the parking lot PA where the vehicle M can be parked, a softwaredistribution server 500 which distributes the software of the vehicle M,and the like. The terminal device 300 is, for example, a smartphone or atablet terminal and is an electronic device connected to the network 35and including an input and output device 310. The input and outputdevice 310 is, for example, a display which displays various informationto a user, a touch panel which accepts a user's input operation, and thelike. Further, the software distribution server 500 is, for example, aserver device managed by a manufacturer (for example, a manufacturer) ofthe vehicle M. The parking lot PA and the parking lot management device400 will be described below.

The navigation device 40 includes a global navigation satellite system(GNSS) receiver 41 and an input and output device 42. Further, thenavigation device 40 includes a storage device (not illustrated) such asa hard disk drive (hereinafter, also referred to as HDD) and a flashmemory and first map information 43 is stored in the storage device. Thefirst map information 43 is, for example, information representing aroad shape by a link indicating a road and a node connected by the link.Further, the first map information 43 may include informationrepresenting the curvature of the road and the point of interest (POI).

The GNSS receiver 41 identifies the latitude and longitude of a pointwhere the vehicle M is located as the position of the vehicle M based onthe signal received from the GNSS satellite. Further, the navigationdevice 40 may specify or correct the position of the vehicle M by aninertial navigation system (INS) using the output of the vehicle sensor14.

The input and output device 42 includes an output device which outputsvarious kinds of information to a user and an input device which acceptsvarious input operations from a user. The output device of the input andoutput device 42 is, for example, a display which displays information(for example, displays a route on a map described below) based on theprocessing result of the navigation device 40. Further, the input deviceof the input and output device 42 is, for example, a touch panel or anoperation button (key, switch, or the like) which outputs an operationsignal corresponding to the input operation received from a user to thenavigation device 40. The input and output device 42 may be shared withthe input and output device 20.

Although detailed description is omitted, the navigation device 40determines, for example, a route (hereafter, also referred to as theroute on the map) from the position of the vehicle M specified by theGNSS receiver 41 to a destination input by a user with reference to thefirst map information 43. Then, the navigation device 40 guides a useron the determined route on the map by the input and output device 42.Further, the navigation device 40 is configured to be able to outputinformation indicating the specified position of the vehicle M and thedetermined route on the map to the software rewriting device 60, theautomatic driving control device 100, or the like. A first performanceacquisition unit 44, a second performance acquisition unit 45, aprocessing unit 46 including a notification unit 47, and the likeillustrated in FIG. 1 will be described below.

Some or all the functions of the navigation device 40 may be realized bythe terminal device 300. Further, some or all the functions of thenavigation device 40 may be realized by an external server device(navigation server) capable of communicating with the vehicle system 1by the communication device 30 or the like.

The drive operator 50 is various operators such as an accelerator pedal,a brake pedal, a shift lever, a steering wheel, a deformed steeringwheel, and a joystick. The drive operator 50 is provided with a sensorwhich detects the amount of operation or the presence of operation onthe drive operator 50. The detection result by the sensor of the driveoperator 50 is output to a part or all of the automatic driving controldevice 100, the traveling driving force output device 200, the brakedevice 210, and the steering device 220.

The traveling driving force output device 200 outputs a travelingdriving force (torque) for the vehicle M to travel to the drivingwheels. The traveling driving force output device 200 includes, forexample, an electric motor and an electric motor electronic control unit(ECU) which controls the electric motor. The electric motor ECU controlsthe electric motor based on the detection result by the sensor of thedrive operator 50 (for example, the accelerator pedal) and the controlinformation from the automatic driving control device 100. Further, whenthe vehicle M includes an internal combustion engine or a transmissionas a drive source, the traveling driving force output device 200 mayinclude an internal combustion engine or a transmission and an ECU forcontrolling the combustion engine or the transmission.

The brake device 210 includes, for example, a brake caliper, a cylinderwhich transmits hydraulic pressure to the brake caliper, an electricmotor which generates hydraulic pressure in the cylinder, and a brakeECU. Based on the detection result by the sensor of the drive operator50 (for example, the brake pedal) and the control information from theautomatic driving control device 100, the brake ECU controls theelectric motor of the brake device 210 so that the brake torquecorresponding to the braking operation is output to each wheel.

The steering device 220 includes, for example, a steering ECU and anelectric motor. The electric motor of the steering device 220, forexample, applies a force to the rack and pinion mechanism to change thedirection of the steering wheel. Based on the detection result by thesensor of the drive operator 50 (for example, the steering wheel) andthe control information from the automatic driving control device 100,the steering ECU drives the electric motor of the steering device 220 tochange the direction (that is, the steering angle) of the steeringwheels.

The automatic driving control device 100 includes an environmentrecognition unit 110, a high-precision position recognition unit 120, anaction plan generation unit 130, and an action control unit 140.Further, the automatic driving control device 100 includes a storagedevice (not illustrated) realized by a flash memory or the like to whicheach functional unit (for example, the high-precision positionrecognition unit 120) of the automatic driving control device 100 canaccess and second map information 150 is stored in the storage device.

The second map information 150 is more accurate map information than thefirst map information 43. The second map information 150 includes, forexample, information indicating the center of a lane, informationindicating a lane boundary line (for example, a road lane marking), andthe like. Further, the second map information 150 may include roadinformation, traffic regulation information, address information,facility information, telephone number information, and the like.

Further, the second map information 150 may be updated at any time bythe communication device 30 communicating with another device. Forexample, when the M enters the parking lot PA, the communication device30 receives information (hereafter, also referred to as in-parking-lotmap information) indicating the lane in the parking lot PA, the positionof each parking space, and the like from the parking lot managementdevice 400. Then, the automatic driving control device 100 updates thesecond map information 150 to incorporate the received in-parking-lotmap information into the second map information 150. As a result, theautomatic driving control device 100 can specify the position of eachparking space in the parking lot PA with reference to the second mapinformation 150.

The environment recognition unit 110 performs sensor fusion processingon information acquired by a part or all of the camera 11, the radardevice 12, and the finder 13, such that the environment recognition unit110 recognizes an object around the vehicle M and recognizes itsposition. The environment recognition unit 110 recognizes, for example,an obstacle, a road shape, a traffic light, a guardrail, a utility pole,a surrounding vehicle (including traveling conditions such as speed andacceleration and parking conditions), a lane mark, a pedestrian, and thelike and recognizes their positions.

Referring to the position of the vehicle M specified by the navigationdevice 40, the detection result by the vehicle sensor 14, the imagetaken by the camera 11, the second map information, and the like, thehigh-precision position recognition unit 120 recognizes the detailedposition and attitude of the vehicle M. The high-precision positionrecognition unit 120 recognizes, for example, the traveling lane inwhich the vehicle M is traveling or recognizes the relative position andattitude of the own vehicle with respect to the traveling lane. Further,the high-precision position recognition unit 120 also recognizes, forexample, the position of the vehicle M in the parking lot PA.

The action plan generation unit 130 generates an action plan for thevehicle M. Specifically, the action plan generation unit 130 generates atarget track on which the vehicle M will travel in the future as anaction plan of the vehicle M. The target track is, for example,information in which points (track points) to be reached by the vehicleM are disposed for each predetermined mileage (for example, aboutseveral meters). Further, the target track may include information onspeed elements such as the target speed and the target acceleration ofthe vehicle M at each predetermined time or at each track point. Theaction plan generation unit 130 generates an action plan according tothe instructions of the parking lot management device 400 received bythe communication device 30, for example.

The action control unit 140 controls the vehicle M to act according tothe action plan generated by the action plan generation unit 130.Specifically, the action control unit 140 controls the traveling drivingforce output device 200, the brake device 210, and the steering device220 so that the vehicle M passes the target track generated by theaction plan generation unit 130 at the scheduled time. The actioncontrol unit 140 controls, for example, the traveling driving forceoutput device 200 and the brake device 210 based on the speed elementassociated with the target track and controls the steering device 220according to a curvature degree of the target track.

Each functional unit included in the automatic driving control device100 is realized, for example, by the central processing unit (CPU)executing a predetermined program (software). Further, a part or all ofthe functional parts of the automatic driving control device 100 may berealized by hardware such as Large Scale Integration (LSI), applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array(FPGA), graphics processing unit (GPU), and for example, the storagedevice for storing the second map information 150 and the high-precisionposition recognition unit 120 may be realized by a map positioning unit(MPU). Further, a part or all of the functional parts included in theautomatic driving control device 100 may be realized by the cooperationof software and hardware.

The software rewriting device 60 is configured to be able to communicatewith other devices external to the vehicle system 1 via thecommunication device 30 and is configured to be able to communicate withother devices in the vehicle system 1 such as the navigation device 40and the automatic driving control device 100. Then, the softwarerewriting device 60 communicates with the other devices and performs arewriting process for rewriting the software of the vehicle M.

Here, the software of the vehicle M is, for example, a program foroperating an in-vehicle device such as the navigation device 40 or theautomatic driving control device 100, so-called firmware. The softwareof the vehicle M may be data and may be, for example, the first mapinformation 43, the second map information 150, or differential data forupdating the data. The software of the vehicle M may be the firmware ofthe software rewriting device 60 itself.

The software rewriting device 60 downloads (that is, receives) thesoftware of the vehicle M from, for example, the software distributionserver 500 and performs a rewriting process of rewriting the software tothe downloaded software. For example, when new firmware for theautomatic driving control device 100 is downloaded from the softwaredistribution server 500, the software rewriting device 60 performs arewriting process of rewriting the firmware of the automatic drivingcontrol device 100 with the new downloaded firmware. By performing sucha rewriting process by the software rewriting device 60, it is possibleto stabilize the operation of the device in which the software has beenrewritten, improve the performance, add functions, and the like. Anexample of the configuration of the software rewriting device 60 will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 3 and the like.

Next, an example of the parking lot PA in which the vehicle M can beparked will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the parking lot PA is an automatic valet parking type parkinglot attached to a facility to be visited by a user and is managed by theparking lot management device 400. The parking lot PA includes aplurality of parking spaces PS where a vehicle (for example, vehicle M)can be parked and a platform PL provided right before the plurality ofparking spaces PS. Hereinafter, an example in which a user uses theparking lot PA, that is, the vehicle M is admitted to the parking lot PAwill be described.

Prior to using the parking lot PA, a user makes a reservation(hereinafter, also referred to as a parking reservation) for using theparking lot PA using the navigation device 40, the terminal device 300,or the like. The “user” is not limited to the owner and manager of thevehicle M, but includes, for example, a person (for example, aconcierge) who performs procedures such as parking reservation on behalfof the owner of the vehicle M. In the parking reservation, the userinputs a vehicle ID, which is an identifier (identification information)of the vehicle M, the scheduled parking time for parking the vehicle Min the parking lot PA, and the like. As the scheduled parking time, forexample, the scheduled entry date and time when the vehicle M isscheduled to enter the parking lot PA and the scheduled exit date andtime when the vehicle M is scheduled to exit from the parking lot PA areinput. The information entered by the user is sent to the parking lotmanagement device 400. With reference to the received information andthe management table (not illustrated) showing the parking reservationstatus of the parking lot PA, the parking lot management device 400determines whether there is a parking space PS where the vehicle M canbe parked during the scheduled parking time (the period from thescheduled entry date and time to the scheduled exit date and time). Whenthere is a parking space PS in which the vehicle M can be parked, theparking lot management device 400 accepts the parking reservation andnotifies the user.

Next, when the scheduled parking time comes, the user rides the vehicleM on the platform PL and gets off from the vehicle M at the platform PL.After the user gets off the vehicle M, the vehicle M automaticallydrives and executes a self-propelled entry event to move to apredetermined parking space PS in the parking lot PA. For example, whenthe user gets off the vehicle M at the platform PL, the user sends arequest for starting the self-propelled entry event to the parking lotmanagement device 400 by the terminal device 300 or the like. When theparking lot management device 400 receives the start request of theself-propelled entry event, the parking lot management device 400determines the parking space PS to which the vehicle M should be storedwith reference to the parking space information table 442 describedbelow and instructs the vehicle M to move to the parking space PS.Further, the parking lot management device 400 may also determine aroute on which the vehicle M should travel to the parking space PS wherethe vehicle M should be stored, and instruct the vehicle M to move alongthe route. Then, the vehicle M moves to the parking space PS instructedby the parking lot management device 400 while performing sensing by thecamera 11, the radar device 12, the finder 13, or the like according tothe instruction received from the parking lot management device 400.

When exiting from the parking lot PA, the user causes the vehicle M toexecute a self-propelled exit event. When the vehicle M executes aself-propelled exit event, the vehicle M automatically drives from theparked parking space PS and moves to the platform PL. For example, whenthe vehicle M is made to execute the self-propelled exit event, the usersends a start request of the self-propelled exit event to the parkinglot management device 400 by their terminal device 300 or the like. Uponreceiving the start request of the self-propelled exit event, theparking lot management device 400 instructs the vehicle M to move to theplatform PL. Here, the parking lot management device 400 may alsodetermine the route on which the vehicle M should travel to the platformPL and instruct the vehicle M to move along the route. The vehicle Mwhich has received the instruction from the parking lot managementdevice 400 moves to the platform PL while sensing with the camera 11,the radar device 12, the finder 13, or the like. Then, the user gets onthe vehicle M at the platform PL and exits from the parking lot PA.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the softwarerewriting device 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the software rewriting device 60 includes anacquisition unit 610 which acquires various kinds of information and aprocessing unit 620 which performs various processing based on theinformation acquired by the acquisition unit 610. Further, the softwarerewriting device 60 includes a communication unit 630 which functions asan interface for the software rewriting device 60 to communicate withanother device. The acquisition unit 610 and the processing unit 620 areconfigured to be able to communicate with other devices as appropriatevia the communication unit 630.

Each functional unit included in the software rewriting device 60 isrealized, for example, by executing a predetermined program (software)stored in advance by the central processing unit (CPU). Further, a partor all of the functional parts of the software rewriting device 60 maybe realized by hardware such as large scale integration (LSI),application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gatearray (PGA), and graphics processing unit (GPU) or may be realized bythe collaboration of software and hardware.

When rewriting the software of the vehicle M, a user may not be able touse a part (for example, the device for which the software is rewritten)or all of the vehicle system 1, which may reduce the convenience of theuser. Therefore, the software rewriting device 60 rewrites the softwareof the moving body during a period when it is assumed that a user doesnot use the vehicle M in order to rewrite the software of the mobilebody while avoiding the deterioration of the convenience of the user.

More specifically, the acquisition unit 610 includes a required timeacquisition unit 611 and a scheduled stop time acquisition unit 612. Therequired time acquisition unit 611 acquires information indicating therequired time for rewriting the software of the vehicle M. Theinformation indicating the required time may be distributed by thesoftware distribution server 500 or may be acquired by the required timeacquisition unit 611 performing a predetermined calculation. Whenacquired by calculation, the required time can be obtained from, forexample, the data size of the software of the vehicle M and the datasize that the software rewriting device 60 or the like can rewrite perunit time. Further, the required time acquisition unit 611 may acquire afixed time as the required time regardless of the data size of thesoftware of the vehicle M.

The scheduled stop time acquisition unit 612 acquires informationindicating the scheduled stop time at a predetermined position of thevehicle M. Here, the predetermined position is a position where thevehicle M is systematically stopped. More specifically, thepredetermined position is a position in which the date and time(hereinafter, also referred to as the scheduled stop start date andtime) when the vehicle M starts to stop and the date and time(hereinafter, also referred to as the scheduled stop end date and time)when the vehicle M ends the stop are predetermined.

The scheduled stop time acquisition unit 612 derives, for example, aperiod (time difference) from the scheduled stop start date and time atthe predetermined position to the scheduled stop end date and time asthe scheduled stop time at the predetermined position and acquiresinformation indicating the derived scheduled stop time. As a result, itis possible to acquire information indicating the scheduled stop timeindicating the period during which the vehicle M is likely to be stoppedaccording to a predetermined plan.

In the embodiment, an example will be described below in which thepredetermined position is the parking lot PA and the scheduled stop timeat the predetermined position is the scheduled parking time in theparking lot PA. That is, the scheduled stop time acquisition unit 612acquires information indicating the scheduled parking time in theparking lot PA of the vehicle M. The scheduled stop time acquisitionunit 612 derives, for example, the period from the scheduled entry dateand time to the scheduled exit date and time entered by a user at thetime of reservation (that is, parking reservation) for usage of theparking lot PA as the scheduled parking time and acquire the derivedinformation indicating the scheduled parking time. In addition,information indicating the scheduled entry date and time and thescheduled exit date and time can be obtained from the navigation device40 and the terminal device 300 used by a user at the time of parkingreservation, the parking lot management device 400 of the parking lot PAwhere the parking reservation is made, and the like.

The processing unit 620 includes a rewriting processing unit 621 whichexecutes a rewriting process for rewriting the software of the vehicleM. The rewriting processing unit 621 executes the rewriting processwhile the vehicle M is stopped at a predetermined position, that is,while the vehicle M is parked in the parking lot PA. As a result, thesoftware of the vehicle M can be rewritten while the vehicle M is parkedin the parking lot PA, that is, during the period when a user is notexpected to use the vehicle M.

Specifically, the rewriting processing unit 621 first inquires, forexample, whether the vehicle M is parked in the parking lot PA toanother device such as the navigation device 40 or the automatic drivingcontrol device 100 which can identify the position of the vehicle M. Asa result of the inquiry, when the vehicle M is parked in the parking lotPA, the rewriting processing unit 621 determines whether to execute therewriting processing, based on the information indicating the requiredtime acquired by the required time acquisition unit 611 and theinformation indicating the scheduled parking time acquired by thescheduled stop time acquisition unit 612.

For example, when the required time is shorter than the scheduledparking time, the rewriting processing unit 621 determines that therewriting process is to be executed and executes the rewriting process.As a result, the rewriting processing unit 621 can execute the rewritingprocess and complete the rewriting process while the vehicle M is parkedin the parking lot PA. Therefore, the software of the vehicle M can berewritten while the vehicle M is parked in the parking lot PA, that is,during the period when a user is not expected to use the vehicle M. As aresult, the software of the vehicle M can be rewritten while avoidingthe deterioration of user convenience.

On the other hand, when the required time is longer than the scheduledparking time, the rewriting processing unit 621 determines that therewriting process is not executed and does not execute the rewritingprocess. As a result, when the rewriting process cannot be completedwhile the vehicle M is parked in the parking lot PA, the rewritingprocessing unit 621 can limit the execution of the rewriting processduring the period. Therefore, for example, when a user tries to use thevehicle M to exit from the parking lot PA, it is possible to avoid asituation in which the software of the vehicle M is being rewritten andpart or all of the vehicle system 1 cannot be used. As a result, it ispossible to prevent the convenience of the user from being lowered.

However, rewriting the software of the vehicle M without the permissionof a user may cause distrust and discomfort of the user. Therefore, itis desirable that the rewriting processing unit 621 executes therewriting process on condition that a user permits. Specifically, here,before the vehicle M is parked in the parking lot PA (for example, atthe time of parking reservation), a user is made to select whether toexecute the rewriting process using the input and output devices 20 and42 and the like.

The rewriting processing unit 621 executes the rewriting process whenthe user performs an operation to execute the rewriting process. As aresult, the software of the vehicle M can be rewritten without causingdistrust or discomfort of the user. On the other hand, the rewritingprocessing unit 621 prevents the rewriting process from being executedwhen a user performs an operation to the effect that the rewritingprocess is not executed. It is possible to prevent rewriting of thevehicle M software, which leads to distrust and discomfort of the user.

Further, as described above, the rewriting process is, for example, aprocess of rewriting the software with the software downloaded (that is,received) from the software distribution server 500. When the devicetries to download software from the software distribution server 500 ina location (for example, the location where the signal strength of thenetwork 35 is weak) where the communication environment between thesoftware rewriting device 60 and the software distribution server 500 ispoor, the download itself is not possible, or even when download ispossible, required time is long. Therefore, when the rewriting processis performed at a position where the communication environment betweenthe software rewriting device 60 and the software distribution server500 is poor, the rewriting process may not be completed smoothly.

Therefore, it is desirable that the rewriting processing unit 621performs the rewriting process when the communication environment in theparking lot PA, more specifically, the communication environment of theparking space PS in which the vehicle M performing the rewriting processis parked is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Here, whenthe communication environment is equal to or higher than a predeterminedlevel, for example, the strength of the radio wave (for example, theradio wave of the network 35) used for communication by thecommunication device 30 is strong enough to download the software usedfor the rewriting process from the software distribution server 500smoothly. The rewriting processing unit 621 can determine whether thecommunication environment is equal to or higher than a predeterminedlevel, for example, based on the detection result of the radio waveintensity sensor included in the vehicle sensor 14. Further, thecommunication environment of a predetermined level or higher may meanthat the communication speed of a communicable (available) communicationline (for example, network 35) is higher than a predetermined speed.

As such, in a situation where the software of the vehicle M can besmoothly downloaded from the software distribution server 500 and therewriting process can be executed smoothly by executing the rewritingprocess when the communication environment in the parking lot PA isequal to or higher than a predetermined level, the software of thevehicle M can be rewritten by executing the rewriting process. On theother hand, in a situation where the communication environment in theparking lot PA is less than the predetermined level and the software ofthe vehicle M cannot be downloaded smoothly from the softwaredistribution server 500, and thus the rewriting process is expected totake a long time, it is possible to prevent the rewriting process frombeing executed.

Even when the communication environment in the parking lot PA is lessthan the predetermined level, when the download of the software used forthe rewriting process is completed before the vehicle M is parked in theparking lot PA, it is considered that the rewriting process can beexecuted smoothly. Here, even when the communication environment in theparking lot PA, more specifically, the communication environment of theparking space PS in which the vehicle M performing the rewriting processis parked is less than a predetermined level, the rewriting processingunit 621 may execute the rewriting process when the download of thesoftware used for the rewriting process is completed before it is parkedthere. As a result, the rewriting process can be executed even when thecommunication environment is less than a predetermined level, and thusthe opportunity for rewriting the software of the vehicle M can beincreased.

However, as described above, the parking lot PA is an automatic valetparking type parking lot, and from the viewpoint of effectivelyutilizing the parking lot PA, the parking lot management device 400 mayappropriately change the parking position (that is, the parking spacePS) of the vehicle parked in the parking lot PA. For example, when aspecial size or special type of vehicle enters the parking lot PA,although the currently available parking space PS cannot allow thespecial vehicle to be parked, it may be possible to park the specialvehicle by moving another parked vehicle to another parking space PS. Insuch a case, the parking lot management device 400 moves (that is,changes the parking position) the parked vehicle to another parkingspace PS. Changing the parking position of the vehicle parked as such isalso referred to as reparking below.

In addition, reparking may be performed in response to a request from aparked vehicle. For example, the parking lot PA may have a position (forexample, parking space PS with a parking space ID “001” in FIG. 5) wherethe communication environment is equal to or higher than a predeterminedlevel and a position (for example, parking space PS with a parking spaceID “003” in FIG. 5) where the communication environment is below apredetermined level.

Here, when the rewriting processing unit 621 executes the rewritingprocess, if the vehicle M is parked at a position where thecommunication environment is less than a predetermined level, therewriting processing unit 621 may request the parking lot managementdevice 400 via the communication unit 630 to guide (lead) the vehicle Mto the position where the communication environment is equal to orhigher than a predetermined level. Here, the parking lot managementdevice 400 performs reparking to move the vehicle M to the positionwhere the communication environment is equal to or higher than apredetermined level in response to a request from the vehicle M. As aresult, the vehicle M subjected to rewriting processing can be parked atan appropriate position for the rewriting process, and thus theopportunity to perform the rewriting process can be increased.

Also, from the viewpoint of parking the vehicle M which performs therewriting process at an appropriate position for the rewriting process,the rewriting processing unit 621 may request the parking lot managementdevice 400 via the communication unit 630 to guide (lead) the vehicle Mto a position where an energy source is supplied when executing therewriting process. As a result, it is possible to supply the energysource to the vehicle M and perform the rewriting process, and thus itis possible to prevent a situation in which the energy source of thevehicle M is exhausted and the software cannot be rewritten normallyduring the rewriting process.

Further, as described above, the parking lot management device 400appropriately gives instructions such as reparking to each vehicleparked in the parking lot PA. However, when the vehicle receiving theinstruction from the parking lot management device 400 is rewriting thesoftware, it may not be possible to communicate with the parking lotmanagement device 400 or it may not be possible to move according to theinstruction from the parking lot management device 400. In such a case,based on the existence of a vehicle which cannot communicate with theparking lot management device 400 or does not move in response to theinstruction from the parking lot management device 400, the parking lotmanagement device 400 may detect an error (that is, a failure in theparking lot PA).

In order to prevent such false error detection of the parking lotmanagement device 400, when the rewriting processing unit 621 executesthe rewriting process, it is desirable to notify the parking lotmanagement device 400 that the rewriting process is to be executed viathe communication unit 630. As a result, the parking lot managementdevice 400 can be notified in advance that the rewriting process will beexecuted. Therefore, for example, even when the vehicle M cannotcommunicate with the parking lot management device 400 or move due tothe execution of the rewriting process, it is possible to prevent theparking lot management device 400 from detecting an error based thereon.

Further, when the rewriting processing unit 621 completes the rewritingprocess, it is desirable to notify the parking lot management device 400that the rewriting processing is completed via the communication unit630. As a result, the parking lot management device 400 can be notifiedthat the rewriting process has been completed. Therefore, for example,after receiving the notification, the parking lot management device 400can effectively utilize the parking lot PA by treating the vehicle Mthat has been subjected to the rewriting process in the same manner asother vehicles and performing reparking or the like as appropriate.

Further, when the rewriting processing unit 621 executes the rewritingprocess, the rewriting processing unit 621 may notify the user'sterminal device 300 that the rewriting process is to be executed via thecommunication unit 630. As a result, the user can be notified in advancethat the rewriting process will be executed. Therefore, for example, theuser can act after knowing that the vehicle M cannot be used for awhile, which improves the convenience of the user.

Further, when the rewriting processing is completed, the rewritingprocessing unit 621 may notify the user's terminal device 300 that therewriting processing is completed via the communication unit 630. As aresult, the user can be notified that the rewriting process iscompleted. As a result, for example, the user can act after knowing thatthe vehicle M has become available, which improves the convenience ofthe user.

In addition, when the software of the vehicle M is rewritten by therewriting process, it is desirable to verify whether the rewrittensoftware operates the vehicle M normally from the viewpoint of ensuringthe safety and convenience of the user.

Therefore, the processing unit 620 includes, for example, a verificationprocessing unit 622 which causes the vehicle M to perform a testoperation using the software rewritten by the rewriting process.Specifically, the verification processing unit 622 causes the vehicle Mto perform the test operation using the software rewritten by therewriting process in the parking lot PA after the rewriting process bythe rewriting processing unit 621.

The verification processing unit 622, for example, causes the vehicle Mwhich has been subjected to the rewriting process to temporarily exitthe parking space PS where the vehicle M is parked and perform the testoperation of parking the vehicle M in the parked space PS again. Thatis, the test operation includes an operation of moving the vehicle Mwhich has been subjected to the rewriting process from the parking spacePS. It is possible to verify whether the vehicle M which has beensubjected to the rewriting process can be moved from the parking spacePS. Further, the test operation includes an operation of stopping thevehicle M which has been subjected to the rewriting process in theparking space PS. It is possible to verify whether the vehicle M whichhas been subjected to the rewriting process can be stopped in theparking space PS. By such a test operation, it is possible to verifywhether the vehicle M which has been subjected to the rewriting processcan correctly park in the predetermined parking space PS even after therewriting process.

The verification processing unit 622 determines that the test operationresult is good (that is, there is no problem even when the rewrittensoftware is enabled) when the vehicle M can be parked to the parkingspace PS where the vehicle M has been parked correctly again. Then, theverification processing unit 622 enables the rewritten software based onthe determination that the test operation result is good as such. As aresult, the safety and convenience of the user can be ensured.

On the other hand, when the vehicle M cannot be parked to the parkingspace PS where the vehicle M has been parked correctly (for example,when the parking position is displaced), the verification processingunit 622 determines that the test operation result is defective (thatis, enabling the rewritten software can cause problems). As a result, itis possible to prevent the vehicle M from enabling the software that mayreduce the safety and convenience of the user.

Further, the software rewriting device 60 may allow a user to perform anoperation such as enabling the rewritten software when the operationresult of the test operation is good. Specifically, here, the softwarerewriting device 60 sends a notification to the terminal device 300 thatthe operation result of the test operation is good and notifies theuser, and the software rewriting device 60 causes the user to perform anoperation such as enabling the software rewritten by using the input andoutput device 310. Then, the software rewriting device 60 enables therewritten software when the user performs an operation to enable therewritten software. As a result, the software rewritten with the user'spermission can be enabled, and thus it is possible to prevent the userfrom feeling distrust or discomfort by enabling the software withoutpermission.

In addition, after rewriting the software, it may take a certain periodof time for the operation of the vehicle M to stabilize. Therefore, thesoftware rewriting device 60 may enable the rewritten software after thevehicle M exits from the parking lot PA when the user performs theoperation to enable the rewritten software. For example, when thesoftware is rewritten, the vehicle M may learn using the rewrittensoftware through running (for example, running to get out of the parkingspace PS where the vehicle M is parked) in the parking lot PA.Therefore, by enabling the rewritten software after the running (thatis, learning) in the parking lot PA is completed and the vehicle M exitsthe parking lot PA, the rewritten software can be enabled after theoperation of the vehicle M becomes stable.

Further, the verification processing unit 622 may be made to perform thetest operation when no person is on the vehicle M. Here, theverification processing unit 622 performs the test operation when, forexample, there is no key of the vehicle M in the vehicle or when it isrecognized that no person is on the vehicle M based on the capturedimage of the camera taking the inside of the vehicle. As a result, thetest operation can be performed while ensuring the safety of the user.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the parking lotmanagement device 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Asdescribed above, when the vehicle M which intends to perform therewriting process in the parking lot PA is parked in an appropriateparking position for performing the rewriting process, for example, aparking position where the communication environment is equal to orhigher than a predetermined level, the possibility that the rewritingprocess can be performed in the parking lot PA increases. Therefore, theparking lot management device 400 makes the vehicle M which intends toperform the rewriting process in the parking lot PA park at anappropriate parking position.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the parking lot managementdevice 400 includes a communication unit 410, a control unit 420, and astorage unit 440. The communication unit 410 and the control unit 420 ofthe parking lot management device 400 are realized, for example, by thecentral processing unit (CPU) executing a predetermined program(software) stored in advance. A part or all of the functional parts maybe realized by hardware such as large scale integration (LSI),application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gatearray (FPGA), and graphics processing unit (GPU) or may be realized bythe collaboration of software and hardware.

Further, the storage unit 440 is realized by various storage devicessuch as HDD and flash memory and stores various kinds of informationsuch as parking lot map information 441 and the parking spaceinformation table 442, for example. The parking lot map information 441is information which geometrically represents the structure of theparking lot PA and includes, for example, information indicating thecoordinates (positions) of the respective parking spaces PS provided inthe parking lot PA.

The parking space information table 442 stores information indicatingthe type and parking status of each parking space PS provided in theparking lot PA. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in theparking space information table 442, for example, for the parking spaceID, which is the identification information of the parking space PS,information indicating the type of the parking space PS identified bythe parking space ID and parking information indicating the parkingstatus of the parking space PS identified by the parking space ID arestored in association with each other.

In the parking space information table 442, the information indicatingthe type of the parking space PS includes, for example, informationindicating whether the energy source can be supplied and informationindicating the communication environment. The parking space PS in whichthe information of “possible” is stored as the information indicatingwhether the energy source can be supplied is a parking space PS whichcan supply the vehicle M with the energy source used when the vehicle Moperates. For example, when the vehicle M is an electric vehicle, theparking space PS in which the information of “possible” is stored as theinformation indicating whether the energy source can be supplied is aparking space PS equipped with equipment capable of supplying electricpower to the vehicle M. On the other hand, the parking space PS in whichinformation of “not possible” is stored as the information indicatingwhether the energy source can be supplied is a parking space PS whichdoes not have equipment (for example, equipment which can supplyelectric power) capable of supplying the energy source to the vehicle M.

The parking space PS in which information of “strong” is stored asinformation indicating the communication environment is a parking spacePS in which the communication environment between the vehicle M and thesoftware distribution server 500 is equal to or higher than apredetermined level. For example, the parking space PS in whichinformation of “strong” is stored as the information indicating thecommunication environment is a parking space PS in which the intensityof the radio wave used for the network 35 is strong enough that thevehicle M (software rewriting device 60) can smoothly download thesoftware from the software distribution server 500. On the other hand,the parking space PS in which information of “weak” is stored as theinformation indicating the communication environment is a parking spacePS in which the intensity of the radio waves used for the network 35 isweak and it is difficult for the vehicle M (software rewriting device60) to smoothly download the software from the software distributionserver 500. Although an example in which the intensity of radio waves isset as the communication environment is described here, the invention isnot limited thereto. The communication environment may be determinedbased on, for example, the communication speed of a communication linecapable of communicating (available) at the location.

In the parking space information table 442, the parking informationincludes, for example, information indicating whether there is a parkedvehicle in each corresponding parking space PS and informationindicating the parked vehicle. As the information indicating whetherthere is a parked vehicle, for example, “full” indicating that there isa parked vehicle or “empty” indicating that there is no parked vehicleis stored. As the information indicating the parked vehicle, theinformation indicating the vehicle ID which identifies the vehicleparked in the parking space PS.

The communication unit 410 communicates with the vehicle M using awireless manner (for example, network 35). The communication unit 410may also communicate with the terminal device 300 of the user. Thecontrol unit 420 determines the parking position of the vehicle M basedon the information acquired through the communication unit 410 and theinformation stored in the storage unit 440 and guides the vehicle M tothe determined parking position.

Specifically, the control unit 420 includes a parking positiondetermination unit 421 and a processing unit 422. The parking positiondetermination unit 421 determines the parking position of the vehicle Mbased on whether the vehicle M rewrites the software in the parking lotPA. That is, the parking position determination unit 421 can make theparking position different depending on whether the vehicle M rewritesthe software in the parking lot PA or does not rewrite the software.

For example, as will be described below, the vehicle M transmits vehicleinformation regarding the vehicle M to the parking lot management device400 when entering the parking lot PA. The vehicle information includesinformation indicating whether to execute the rewriting process in theparking lot PA. As a result, the vehicle M can notify the parking lotmanagement device 400 whether to execute the rewriting process in theparking lot PA.

Then, when the vehicle M notifies that the rewriting process is to beexecuted, that is, when the vehicle information indicating that therewriting process is to be executed is received by the communicationunit 410, the parking position determination unit 421 determines theparking position of the vehicle M to a parking space PS in which thecommunication environment between the vehicle M and the softwaredistribution server 500 is equal to or higher than a predeterminedlevel.

Specifically, by referring to the parking space information table 442,the parking position determination unit 421 determines the parking spacePS in which the information indicating the communication environment is“strong” and the parking information is “empty” as the parking positionof the vehicle M in which the rewriting process is to be performed. As aresult, it is possible to stop the vehicle M which performs therewriting process in the parking space PS whose communicationenvironment is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and thusthe possibility that the vehicle M can perform the rewriting process canbe increased.

Further, when the energy source of the vehicle M is exhausted during therewriting process and the execution of the rewriting process isinterrupted, the software cannot be normally rewritten by the rewritingprocess. Therefore, for the vehicle M in which the rewriting process isto be performed, it is desirable to stop the vehicle M at a parkingposition where the energy source can be supplied and to perform therewriting process while supplying the energy source.

Therefore, when there is a notification from vehicle M that therewriting process is executed, that is, when vehicle informationindicating that the rewriting process is executed is received by thecommunication unit 410, the parking position determination unit 421determines the parking position of the vehicle M to a parking space PScapable of supplying an energy source to the vehicle M.

Specifically, by referring to the parking space information table 442,the parking position determination unit 421 determines the parking spacePS in which the information indicating whether the energy source can besupplied is “possible” and the parking information is “empty” as theparking position of the vehicle M in which the rewriting process is tobe performed. As a result, the vehicle M which performs the rewritingprocess can be stopped in the parking space PS capable of supplying theenergy source, and thus the possibility that the vehicle M can performthe rewriting process can be increased.

In addition, another vehicle (for example, another vehicle whichperforms the rewriting process) may be parked in the parking space PSthat is suitable for the rewriting process, such as the parking space PSwhere the communication environment between the vehicle M and thesoftware distribution server 500 is equal to or higher than apredetermined level and the parking space PS that can supply the energysource to the vehicle M. In such a case, the parking positiondetermination unit 421 determines, for example, the parking position ofthe vehicle M which has notified that the rewriting process is to beexecuted to another parking space PS that is available at that time.Therefore, even when another vehicle is parked in the parking space PSsuitable for the rewriting process, the vehicle M which has notifiedthat the rewriting process is to be executed can enter the parking lotPA.

However, when the parking position of the vehicle M which has notifiedthat the rewriting process is to be executed is determined to be anotherparking space PS (parking space PS that is not suitable for therewriting process) that is available at that time, the parking lotmanagement device 400 restricts the vehicle M from performing therewriting process by instructing the vehicle M not to perform therewriting process. As a result, it is possible to prevent rewritingprocessing that may not be completed normally.

Also, when another vehicle parked in the parking space PS suitable forthe rewriting process moves from that parking space PS, the parking lotmanagement device 400 may move the vehicle M which has notified that therewriting process is to be executed to the parking space PS and allowthe rewriting process to be performed. As a result, the vehicle M whichhas notified that the rewriting process is to be executed can be movedto the parking space PS suitable for performing the rewriting processthat has become empty and the rewriting process can be appropriatelyperformed.

Also, as described above, when the vehicle M, which performs therewriting process, has downloaded the software used for the rewritingprocess before entering the parking lot PA, the rewriting process can beperformed stably regardless of the communication environment of theparking position in the parking lot PA. Therefore, there is little needto allocate a parking space PS with a good communication environment tosuch a vehicle M, and rather, from the viewpoint of effectivelyutilizing the parking lot PA, it may be better to allocate the parkingspace PS, which has a poor communication environment, to such a vehicleM.

Therefore, for example, vehicle information including informationindicating whether the software used for the rewriting process has beendownloaded is transmitted to the parking lot management device 400, suchthat the vehicle M notifies the parking lot management device 400whether the software used for the rewriting process has been downloaded.Here, when the vehicle M notifies that the software used for therewriting process has been downloaded, the parking positiondetermination unit 421 determines the parking position of the vehicle Mto a parking space PS in which the communication environment between thevehicle M and the software distribution server 500 is less than apredetermined level.

Specifically, by referring to the parking space information table 442,the parking position determination unit 421 determines the parking spacePS in which the information indicating the communication environment is“weak” and the parking information is “empty” as the parking position ofthe vehicle M in which the rewriting process is to be performed. As aresult, the limited parking space PS whose communication environment isequal to or higher than a predetermined level can be assigned to othervehicles for which the software used for the rewriting process has notbeen downloaded, and thus the parking lot PA can be effectivelyutilized.

Further, when the remaining energy amount of the vehicle M in which therewriting process is to be performed is sufficient, it is less necessaryto allocate a parking space PS capable of supplying the energy source tosuch a vehicle M, and rather, from the viewpoint of effectivelyutilizing the parking lot PA, it may be better to allocate a parkingspace PS where the energy source cannot be supplied to such a vehicle M.

Therefore, for example, the vehicle M transmits vehicle informationincluding information indicating the remaining energy amount to theparking lot management device 400, such that the vehicle M notifies theparking lot management device 400 of the remaining energy amount. Here,when the remaining energy amount of the vehicle M in which the rewritingprocess is to be performed is equal to or more than a predeterminedamount, the parking position determination unit 421 determines theparking position of the vehicle M to the parking space PS where theenergy source cannot be supplied.

Specifically, by referring to the parking space information table 442,the parking position determination unit 421 determines the parking spacePS in which the information indicating whether the energy source can besupplied is “not possible” and the parking information is “empty” as theparking position of the vehicle M in which the rewriting process is tobe performed. As a result, the limited parking space PS capable ofsupplying the energy source can be allocated to other vehicles havingless than a predetermined amount of energy remaining, and thus theparking lot PA can be effectively utilized.

The processing unit 422 acquires the position of the parking space PSwhere each vehicle M should be parked in the parking lot PA from theparking lot map information 441, and then the processing unit 422transmits a suitable route to the position of the acquired parking spacePS to the vehicle M via the communication unit 410. In the vehicle Mwhich received the route, the action plan generation unit 130 generatesa target track based on the received route and the action control unit140 controls the vehicle M to act according to the action plan generatedby the action plan generation unit 130. As a result, the vehicle M isguided to the parking space PS determined by the parking lot managementdevice 400 and parked in the parking space PS.

However, as an automatic valet parking type parking lot such as theparking lot PA, a plurality of types of parking lots in which theautomatic driving performance required for a vehicle for parking isdifferent can be considered. As a first type of automatic valet parkingtype parking lot, for example, a parking lot in which a parking lotmanagement device which manages the parking lot determines a parkingposition and a route to the parking position and guides the vehicle tothe parking position by the route can be considered.

In addition, as the second type of automatic valet parking type parkinglot, for example, a parking lot in which a parking lot management devicewhich manages the parking lot determines only the parking position and avehicle autonomously determines a route to the parking position andmoves to the parking position by the route can be considered. In orderto park the vehicle M in such a second type of automatic valet parkingtype parking lot, the vehicle is required to have higher automaticdriving performance than in the case of the first type of automaticvalet parking type parking lot. Specifically, a function of determininga route to a parking position and autonomously moving to the parkingposition by the route is required.

Therefore, for example, a vehicle which can move to the parking positionby the route determined by the parking lot management device but cannotdetermine the route to the parking position and autonomously move to theparking position by the route can be parked in the first type ofautomatic valet parking type parking lot, but not in the second type ofautomatic valet parking type parking lot. As such, the parking lot wherethe vehicle M can be parked may differ depending on the automaticdriving performance of the vehicle.

However, when the software of the vehicle M is rewritten, new functions(for example, a function of determining a route to a parking positionand autonomously moving to the parking position by the route) may beadded to the vehicle M, whereby the automatic driving performance of thevehicle M may be improved. When the automatic driving performance of thevehicle M is improved, the number of parking lots where the vehicle Mcan be parked may increase. Therefore, from the viewpoint of improvingthe commercial value of the vehicle M and the convenience of a user, itis desired to prompt the rewriting of the software of the vehicle M.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the navigation device 40 functions as anotification device for notifying the parking lot in which the vehicle Mcan be parked and the notification prompts the user to rewrite thesoftware of the vehicle M.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the navigation device 40 includes the firstperformance acquisition unit 44, the second performance acquisition unit45, and the processing unit 46. The first performance acquisition unit44 acquires information indicating the current performance of thevehicle M. The first performance acquisition unit 44 acquires, forexample, information indicating the current automatic drivingperformance of the vehicle M from the automatic driving control device100 or the like. The information indicating the automatic drivingperformance can be information indicating the type of parking lot inwhich the vehicle M can be parked, such as the above-described “firsttype” and “second type”. Information indicating the current automaticdriving performance of the vehicle M is preset in the automatic drivingcontrol device 100 and the automatic driving control device 100 sendsthe information indicating the current automatic driving performance ofthe set vehicle M to the navigation device 40 in response to a requestfrom the navigation device 40.

The second performance acquisition unit 45 acquires informationindicating the changed performance of the vehicle M, which changes byrewriting the software of the vehicle M. The second performanceacquisition unit 45 acquires, for example, information indicating theautomatic driving performance after the change of the vehicle M, whichchanges by rewriting the software of the vehicle M, from the softwaredistribution server 500 or the like. In the software distribution server500, information indicating the automatic driving performance afterrewriting to the software is preset together with the software of thevehicle M and the software distribution server 500 sends informationindicating the automatic driving performance after set rewriting to thenavigation device 40 in response to a request from the navigation device40.

The processing unit 46 includes the notification unit 47. Thenotification unit 47 notifies the parking lot in which the vehicle M canbe parked based on the information indicating the current performanceacquired by the first performance acquisition unit 44 and theinformation indicating the changed performance acquired by the secondperformance acquisition unit 45. Specifically, the notification unit 47separately notifies the parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked bythe current automatic driving performance of the vehicle M and theparking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by the changed automaticdriving performance. As a result, it is possible to notify a user of howthe parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked changes by rewritingthe software of the vehicle M, such that it is possible to prompt therewriting of the software of the vehicle M. An example of separatelynotifying the parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by thecurrent automatic driving performance of the vehicle M and the parkinglot where the vehicle M can be parked by the changed automatic drivingperformance after will be described below with reference to FIG. 12.

Further, the notification unit 47 may perform the above notification,for example, when a user performs an operation of searching for aparking lot in which the vehicle M can be parked. As a result, the abovenotification can be performed at the time when a user is interested inthe parking lot in which the vehicle M can be parked. That is, the abovenotification can be effectively performed and the rewriting of thesoftware of the vehicle M can be prompted.

Also, for example, the software may be rewritten when the vehicle M isparked in the first type parking lot, and as a result, the vehicle M maybe parked in the second type parking lot. The second type parking lotis, in other words, a parking lot in which the vehicle M performs theabove-described driving tasks more than in the case of the first typeparking lot. Then, from the viewpoint of user convenience, it may bepreferable that the vehicle M be parked in the second type parking lot.

Therefore, when rewriting the software when the vehicle M is parked inthe first type parking lot, after rewriting the software, the processingunit 46 may perform an operation as to whether to move the vehicle M toa parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by the changedperformance. Further, when a user accepts an operation to move to theparking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by the changedperformance, after rewriting the software, the vehicle M moves to theparking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by the changedperformance, autonomously or in cooperation with the parking lotmanagement device of the parking lot to which the vehicle is moved. As aresult, the convenience of the user can be improved.

In addition, the software of the vehicle M may have a validity periodset. Therefore, when rewriting the software, the processing unit 46 mayallow a user to perform an operation of setting the validity period ofthe software to the first period (for example, one day) or the secondperiod (for example, one year) longer than the first period. When theoperation to set the validity period of the software to the first periodis accepted, the vehicle M sets the validity period of the rewrittensoftware to the first period. On the other hand, when the operation toset the validity period of the software to the second period isaccepted, the vehicle M sets the validity period of the rewrittensoftware to the second period. As a result, the validity period can beset as desired by the user, and thus the convenience of the user can beimproved.

Process Performed by Software Rewriting Device

Rewriting Reservation Process

Next, an example of the process performed by the software rewritingdevice 60 will be described. First, a rewriting reservation processperformed by the software rewriting device 60 will be described withreference to FIG. 6. The software rewriting device 60, for example,performs the rewriting reservation process illustrated in FIG. 6 at apredetermined cycle.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the rewriting reservation process, thesoftware rewriting device 60 determines whether the parking lot PA usagereservation has been made (Step S11). When it is determined that theparking lot PA usage reservation has not been made (NO in Step S11), thesoftware rewriting device 60 ends the rewriting reservation processillustrated in FIG. 6 as it is.

When it is determined that the parking lot PA usage reservation has beenmade (YES in Step S11), the software rewriting device 60 determineswhether an operation to execute the rewriting process has been performedat the time of the usage reservation (Step S12). When it is determinedthat the operation to execute the rewriting process has not beenperformed (NO in Step S12), the software rewriting device 60 ends therewriting reservation process illustrated in FIG. 6 as it is.

When it is determined that the operation to execute the rewritingprocess has been performed (YES in Step S12), the software rewritingdevice 60 acquires information indicating the time required to rewritethe software by the rewriting process (Step S13). Next, the softwarerewriting device 60 acquires information indicating the scheduledparking time by which the vehicle is scheduled to be parked in theparking lot PA for which the usage reservation has been made (Step S14).

Then, the software rewriting device 60 determines whether the requiredtime is shorter than the scheduled parking time based on the informationindicating the required time acquired in Step S13 and the informationindicating the scheduled parking time acquired in Step S14 (Step S15).When it is determined that the required time is longer than thescheduled parking time (NO in Step S15), the software rewriting device60 ends the rewriting reservation process illustrated in FIG. 6 as itis.

When it is determined that the required time is shorter than thescheduled parking time (YES in Step S15), the software rewriting device60 reserves the execution of the rewriting process so that the rewritingprocess is executed when the vehicle M is parked in the parking lot PAfor which the usage reservation has been made (Step S16). In Step S16,the software rewriting device 60 stores, for example, informationindicating that the rewriting process is executed when the vehicle Menters the parking lot PA based on the usage reservation in a storagedevice (not illustrated) provided in the own device.

Next, the software rewriting device 60 acquires information indicatingthe communication environment of the parking lot PA for which the usagereservation has been made (Step S17). For example, the first mapinformation 43 stored in the navigation device 40 includes informationindicating the communication environment of each parking lot. Then, inStep S17, the software rewriting device 60 acquires informationindicating the communication environment of the parking lot PA from thenavigation device 40. Further, the software rewriting device 60 mayacquire the information indicating the communication environment of theparking lot PA from the parking lot management device 400 via thecommunication device 30 or the like.

Next, the software rewriting device 60 determines whether thecommunication environment of the parking lot PA is equal to or higherthan a predetermined level based on the information indicating thecommunication environment acquired in Step S17 (Step S18). Then, when itis determined that the communication environment of the parking lot PAis equal to or higher than a predetermined level (YES in Step S18), thesoftware rewriting device 60 ends the rewriting reservation processillustrated in FIG. 6 as it is.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the communicationenvironment of the parking lot PA is less than the predetermined level(NO in Step S18), the software rewriting device 60 downloads thesoftware used for the rewriting process from the software distributionserver 500 before the vehicle M enters the parking lot PA based on theusage reservation (Step S19), and then the rewriting reservation processillustrated in FIG. 6 is ended. For example, when the software used forthe rewriting process is downloaded from the software distributionserver 500, the software rewriting device 60 stores the downloadedsoftware in a storage device or the like provided in the own device inassociation with the information indicating that the rewriting processstored in Step S16 is to be executed.

Rewriting Execution Process

Next, a rewriting execution process performed by the software rewritingdevice 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The softwarerewriting device 60, for example, performs the rewriting executionprocess illustrated in FIG. 7 at a predetermined cycle.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the rewriting execution process, thesoftware rewriting device 60 determines whether the vehicle M hasentered the parking lot PA for which the usage reservation has been made(Step S21). When it is determined that the vehicle M has not entered theparking lot PA for which the usage reservation has been made (NO in StepS21), the software rewriting device 60 ends the rewriting executionprocess illustrated in FIG. 7 as it is.

When it is determined that the vehicle M has entered the parking lot PAfor which the usage reservation has been made (YES in Step S21), thesoftware rewriting device 60 transmits vehicle information regarding thevehicle M to the parking lot management device 400 of the parking lot PAwhere the vehicle M has entered (Step S22). The vehicle informationincludes, for example, information indicating whether to execute therewriting process in the parking lot PA, whether the software used forthe rewriting process has been downloaded when the rewriting process isexecuted, the remaining energy amount of the vehicle M, and the like.

Therefore, by sending the vehicle information to the parking lotmanagement device 400, the software rewriting device 60 can notify theparking lot management device 400 of whether to execute the rewritingprocess in the parking lot PA, whether the software used for therewriting process has been downloaded when the rewriting process isexecuted, the remaining energy amount of the vehicle M, and the like.

Next, the software rewriting device 60 determines whether the vehicle Mis parked in the parking space PS instructed by the parking lotmanagement device 400 (Step S23). When the vehicle M is not parked inthe parking space PS (NO in Step S23), the software rewriting device 60waits until the vehicle M is parked.

Then, when the vehicle M is parked in the parking space PS instructed bythe parking lot management device 400 (YES in Step S23), the softwarerewriting device 60 determines whether there is an execution reservationto execute the rewriting process in the parking lot PA (Step S24). Whenit is determined that there is no execution reservation for therewriting process (NO in Step S24), the software rewriting device 60ends the rewriting execution process illustrated in FIG. 7 as it is.

When it is determined that there is an execution reservation for therewriting process (YES in Step S24), the software rewriting device 60determines whether the software used for the rewriting process has beendownloaded (Step S25). When it is determined that the software used forthe rewriting process has been downloaded (YES in Step S25), thesoftware rewriting device 60 shifts to the process in Step S28.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the software used for therewriting process has not been downloaded (NO in Step S25), the softwarerewriting device 60 acquires information indicating the communicationenvironment in the parking space PS in which the vehicle M is parked(Step S26). Then, the software rewriting device 60 determines whetherthe communication environment in the parking space PS in which thevehicle M is parked is equal to or higher than the predetermined levelbased on the information indicating the communication environmentacquired in Step S26 (Step S27).

When it is determined that the communication environment in the parkingspace PS where the vehicle M is parked is equal to or higher than thepredetermined level (YES in Step S27), the software rewriting device 60notifies the parking lot management device 400 and the user's terminaldevice 300 that the rewriting process is to be executed (Step S28),executes the rewriting process (Step S29), and ends the rewritingexecution process illustrated in FIG. 7.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the communicationenvironment in the parked space PS in which the vehicle M is parked isless than the predetermined level (NO in Step S27), the softwarerewriting device 60 requests the parking lot management device 400 toguide the vehicle to another parking space PS where the communicationenvironment is equal to or higher than the predetermined level (StepS30). Then, the software rewriting device 60 determines whether thevehicle M is parked in another parking space PS as a result of therequest (Step S31).

When it is determined that the vehicle M is not parked in anotherparking space PS (NO in Step S31), the software rewriting device 60waits until the vehicle M is parked in another parking space PS. Then,when it is determined that the vehicle M is parked in another parkingspace PS (YES in Step S31), the software rewriting device 60 shifts tothe process of Step S26.

Post-Rewriting Process

Next, a post-rewriting process performed by the software rewritingdevice 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. For example, whenthe rewriting process is executed by the rewriting execution processillustrated in FIG. 7, the software rewriting device 60 performs thepost-rewriting process illustrated in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the post-rewriting process, the softwarerewriting device 60 determines whether the rewriting process iscompleted (Step S41). When the rewriting process is not completed (NO inStep S41), the software rewriting device 60 waits until the rewritingprocess is completed.

When the rewriting process is completed (YES in Step S41), the softwarerewriting device 60 notifies the parking lot management device 400 thatthe rewriting process is completed and that the test operation is to beexecuted (Step S42). The software rewriting device 60 may separatelynotify the parking lot management device 400 that the rewriting processis completed and that the test operation is to be executed. Next, thesoftware rewriting device 60 determines whether a person is not on thevehicle M to be subjected to the test operation (Step S43).

When it is determined that a person is on the vehicle M (NO in StepS43), the software rewriting device 60 notifies the person on thevehicle M that the test operation cannot be executed via the input andoutput devices 20 and 42 or the like (Step S44) and ends thepost-rewriting process illustrated in FIG. 8. When it is determined thatno person is on the vehicle M (YES in Step S43), the software rewritingdevice 60 causes the vehicle M to execute the test operation (Step S45).In Step S45, as described above, the software rewriting device 60 causesthe vehicle M to perform, for example, a test operation in which thevehicle M is temporarily moved from the parked parking space PS and thenparked again in the parking space PS.

Next, the software rewriting device 60 determines whether the testoperation result by the test operation executed in Step S45 is good(Step S46). When it is determined that the test operation result isdefective (NO in Step S46), the software rewriting device 60 ends thepost-rewriting process illustrated in FIG. 8 as it is. Here, since theprocess of Step S50, which will be described below, is not performed,the software (software that is likely to be the cause of the defectivetest operation result) rewritten by the rewriting process is notenabled.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the test operation resultis good (YES in Step S46), the software rewriting device 60 notifies theuser's terminal device 300 that the rewriting process is completed andconfirms to the user whether to enable the software rewritten by therewriting process (Step S47). The software rewriting device 60determines whether there is an operation to enable the rewrittensoftware based on the information received from the terminal device 300as a result of the process in Step S47 (Step S48).

When there is no operation to enable the rewritten software, that is,when there is an operation to not enable the rewritten software (NO inStep S48), the software rewriting device 60 ends the post-rewritingprocess illustrated in FIG. 8 as it is. That is, even here, since theprocess of Step S50 described below is not performed, the softwarerewritten by the rewriting process is not enabled. In addition, whenthere is an operation not to enable the rewritten software (that is, NOin Step S48), the software rewriting device 60 may ask a user whether toenable the rewritten software again at a predetermined time while thevehicle M is parked in the parking lot PA. Also, when the next usagereservation of the parking lot PA is made or when the vehicle M isparked in the parking lot PA next time based on the usage reservation,or the like, the software rewriting device 60 may ask a user whether toenable the rewritten software again. Then, as a result of reconfirmingwith the user whether to enable the rewritten software, when anoperation to enable the rewritten software is performed, the softwarerewriting device 60 enables the rewritten software. Here, since the testoperation and the like have already been performed, the softwarerewriting device 60 only needs to enable the rewritten software.

On the other hand, when there is an operation to enable the rewrittensoftware (YES in Step S48), the software rewriting device 60 waits forthe vehicle M to exit from the parking lot PA (NO in Step S49). Then,when the vehicle M exits the parking lot PA (YES in Step S49), thesoftware rewriting device 60 enables the software rewritten by therewriting process (Step S50) and ends the post-rewriting processillustrated in FIG. 8.

Process Performed by Parking Lot Management Device

Next, an example of the process performed by the parking lot managementdevice 400 will be described. The parking lot management device 400, forexample, performs a parking position determination process illustratedin FIG. 9 at a predetermined cycle.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the parking position determination process,the parking lot management device 400 determines whether there is avehicle to enter the parking lot PA (Step S61). When it is determinedthat there is no vehicle to enter the parking lot PA (NO in Step S61),the parking lot management device 400 repeats the process of Step S61.

When it is determined that there is a vehicle to enter the parking lotPA (YES in Step S61), the parking lot management device 400 acquiresvehicle information from the vehicle to enter the parking lot PA (StepS62). As a result, the parking lot management device 400 can acquireinformation indicating whether to execute the rewriting process in theparking lot PA, whether the software used for the rewriting process hasbeen downloaded, the remaining energy amount, and the like for thevehicle to enter the parking lot PA.

Then, the parking lot management device 400 determines whether thevehicle to be entered is a vehicle which executes the rewriting processbased on the vehicle information acquired in Step S62 (Step S63). Whenit is determined that the vehicle to be entered is a vehicle which doesnot execute the rewriting process (NO in Step S63), the parking lotmanagement device 400 shifts to the process in Step S70.

When it is determined that the vehicle to be entered is a vehicle whichexecutes the rewriting process (YES in Step S63), the parking lotmanagement device 400 determines whether the remaining energy amount ofthe vehicle (that is, the vehicle which executes the rewriting process)to enter is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount based on thevehicle information acquired in Step S62 (Step S64).

When it is determined that the remaining energy amount of the vehicle toenter is less than the predetermined amount (NO in Step S64), theparking lot management device 400 determines a parking space PS (thatis, parking space PS where the information indicating whether the energysource can be supplied is “possible”) capable of supplying an energysource as a parking candidate position of the vehicle to enter (StepS65) and proceeds to the process of Step S68. In the embodiment, it isassumed that the parking space PS capable of supplying an energy sourcehas a communication environment of a predetermined level or higher.

When it is determined that the remaining energy amount of the vehicle toenter is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (YES in StepS64), the parking lot management device 400 determines whether thesoftware used for the rewriting process has been downloaded by thevehicle to enter based on the vehicle information acquired in Step S62(Step S66). When it is determined that the software used for therewriting process has not been downloaded (NO in Step S66), the parkinglot management device 400 determines a parking space PS (that is,parking space PS where the information indicating the communicationenvironment is “strong”) whose communication environment is equal to orhigher than the predetermined level as a parking candidate position ofthe vehicle to enter (Step S67) and proceeds to the process of Step S68.

Next, the parking lot management device 400 determines whether anothervehicle is parked at the parking candidate position determined by theprocess of Step S65 or Step S67 (Step S68). In addition, a plurality ofparking spaces PS (parking space PS where the information indicatingwhether the energy source can be supplied is “possible”) capable ofsupplying an energy source and parking spaces PS (parking space PS wherethe information indicating the communication environment is “strong”)where the communication environment is equal to or higher than thepredetermined level may be provided. Here, the parking lot managementdevice 400 determines whether other vehicles are parked in all of theparking spaces PS of the type determined as parking candidate positions.

When it is determined that another vehicle is parked at the determinedparking candidate position (YES in Step S68), the parking lot managementdevice 400 cannot allocate a parking space PS suitable for performingthe rewriting process to the vehicle to enter. Therefore, the executionof the rewriting process of the vehicle is restricted by instructing thevehicle not to execute the rewriting process (Step S69) and the processproceeds to the process of Step S70.

Next, the parking lot management device 400 determines a normal parkingspace PS as the parking position of the vehicle to enter. The parkinglot management device 400 instructs the vehicle to move to the parkingspace PS (Step S70) and ends the parking position determination processillustrated in FIG. 9. The normal parking space PS is, for example, aparking space PS in which the information indicating whether the energysource can be supplied is “not possible” and the information indicatingthe communication environment is “weak”.

On the other hand, when it is determined that no other vehicle is parkedat the determined parking candidate position (NO in Step S68), theparking lot management device 400 determines the determined parkingcandidate position (that is, the parking space PS suitable forperforming the rewriting process) as the parking position of the vehicleto enter. Then, the parking lot management device 400 instructs thevehicle to move to the parking space PS (Step S71) and ends the parkingposition determination process illustrated in FIG. 9.

Here, an example is described in which the parking space PS capable ofsupplying an energy source has a communication environment of thepredetermined level or higher, but the invention is not limited thereto.When the communication environment of the parking space PS capable ofsupplying the energy source is not equal to or higher than thepredetermined level, first, the software may be downloaded in a placewith a good communication environment, and then the vehicle may be moved(reparked) to the parking space PS capable of supplying the energysource.

Process Performed by Navigation Device

Parking Lot Search Process

Next, an example of a process performed by the navigation device 40 willbe described. First, a parking lot search process performed by thenavigation device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Thenavigation device 40 performs, for example, the parking lot searchprocess illustrated in FIG. 10 at a predetermined cycle.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the parking lot search process, thenavigation device 40 determines whether a user has performed anoperation to search for a parking lot (Step S81). When there is nooperation to search for a parking lot (NO in Step S81), the navigationdevice 40 repeats the process of Step S81. When there is an operation tosearch for a parking lot (YES in Step S81), the navigation device 40acquires information indicating the current automatic drivingperformance of the vehicle M equipped with the own device from theautomatic driving control device 100 or the like in which theinformation is preset (Step S82).

Then, the navigation device 40 searches for a parking lot where thevehicle M can be parked by the current automatic driving performancethereof based on the information indicating the current automaticdriving performance acquired by the process of Step S82 (Step S83). InStep S83, the navigation device 40 searches for the parking lot wherethe vehicle M can be parked by the current automatic driving performanceamong the parking lots around the destination based on, for example, theinformation indicating the automatic driving performance required forparking in each parking lot included in the first map information 43 andthe information indicating the destination set by a user.

Next, the navigation device 40 makes an inquiry to, for example, thesoftware distribution server 500 and determines whether there isrewritable software for the vehicle M (Step S84). When it is determinedthat there is no rewritable software (NO in Step S84), the navigationdevice 40 displays the parking lot searched by the process of Step S83,that is, the parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by thecurrent automatic driving performance (Step S85), and ends the parkinglot search process illustrated in FIG. 10. In Step S85, the navigationdevice 40 displays, for example, the searched parking lot where thevehicle M can be parked by the current automatic driving performance onthe display of the input and output device 42 in a state in which theuser can identify the parking lot.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is rewritablesoftware (YES in Step S84), the navigation device 40 acquiresinformation indicating the automatic driving performance of the vehicleM after the rewriting when the rewriting process is performed using thesoftware from the software distribution server 500 (Step S86).

Next, the navigation device 40 determines whether the automatic drivingperformance of the vehicle M is changed by rewriting the software basedon the information indicating the current automatic driving performanceacquired by the process of Step S82 and the information indicating theautomatic driving performance after rewriting acquired by the process ofStep S85 (Step S87).

When it is determined that the automatic driving performance of thevehicle M does not change due to software rewriting (NO in Step S87),the navigation device 40 shifts to the process of Step S85. On the otherhand, when it is determined that the automatic driving performance ofthe vehicle M changes due to software rewriting (YES in Step S87), thenavigation device 40 searches for a parking lot where the vehicle M canbe parked by the automatic driving performance of the vehicle M afterrewriting, that is, the automatic driving performance after the change(Step S88). In Step S88, the navigation device 40 searches, for example,a parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by the automatic drivingperformance after the change, among the parking lots around thedestination set by the user.

Then, the navigation device 40 displays the parking lot where thevehicle M can be parked by the current automatic driving performance,which is searched by Step S83, and the parking lot where the vehicle Mcan be parked by the automatic driving performance after change, whichis searched by Step S88, to be distinguishable (Step S89), and then thenavigation device 40 ends the parking lot search process illustrated inFIG. 10. In Step S89, the navigation device 40 displays, for example,the searched parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by thecurrent autonomous driving performance and the searched parking lotwhere the vehicle M can be parked by the automatic driving performanceafter change on the display of the input and output device 42 in a statein which the user can identify each other. An example of the displayscreen displayed by the process of Step S89 will be described below withreference to FIG. 12.

Here, an example in which Steps S81 to S83 are performed and then StepS84 and subsequent Steps are performed is described, but the inventionis not limited thereto. Steps S81 to S83 Step S84 and subsequent Stepsmay be performed separately. That is, Step S84 and subsequent Steps maybe performed without performing Steps S81 to S83.

Usage Reservation Process

Next, an example of a usage reservation process performed by thenavigation device 40 will be described. For example, when the navigationdevice 40 displays the parking lot searched by the parking lot searchprocess illustrated in FIG. 10, the navigation device 40 performs theusage reservation process illustrated in FIG. 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the usage reservation process, thenavigation device 40 determines, for example, whether any of the parkinglots displayed by the process of Step S85 or the process of Step S89described above has been selected by the user (Step S91). When there isno operation to select the parking lot (NO in Step S91), the navigationdevice 40 repeats the process of Step S91.

When there is the operation to select one of the parking lots (YES inStep S91), the navigation device 40 determines whether the selectedparking lot is a parking lot which requires software rewriting (StepS92). For example, the navigation device 40 determines YES in Step S92when the automatic driving performance required for parking the vehicleM in the selected parking lot is higher than the current automaticdriving performance of the vehicle M. On the other hand, the navigationdevice 40 determines NO in Step S92 when the automatic drivingperformance required for parking the vehicle M in the selected parkinglot is equal to or lower than the current automatic driving performanceof the vehicle M.

When it is determined that the selected parking lot is a parking lotwhich does not require software rewriting (NO in Step S92), thenavigation device 40 proceeds to the process of Step S96. On the otherhand, when it is determined that the selected parking lot is a parkinglot which requires software rewriting (YES in Step S92), the navigationdevice 40 notifies the user that the software needs to be rewritten(Step S93).

In Step S93, the navigation device 40 displays, for example, a messagesuch as “You need to rewrite the software to park the vehicle in thatparking lot. Do you want to rewrite the software?” and operation buttonscorresponding to “Yes” and “No” on the display of the input and outputdevice 42.

Then, the navigation device 40 determines whether there has been anoperation to rewrite the software, that is, an operation to execute therewriting process (Step S94). In Step S94, the navigation device 40determines, for example, whether the operation button corresponding to“Yes” displayed by the process of Step S93 has been operated.

When there is the operation not to rewrite the software (NO in StepS94), that is, when the operation button corresponding to “No” displayedby the process in Step S93 is operated, the navigation device 40 endsthe usage reservation process illustrated in FIG. 11. Here, for example,since the process of Step S96 described below is not performed, the usercannot make a reservation for using the selected parking lot (that is,the user cannot use the parking lot).

On the other hand, when there is an operation to rewrite the software(YES in Step S94), that is, when the operation button corresponding to“Yes” displayed by the process of Step S93 is operated, the navigationdevice 40 displays a predetermined validity period selection screen onthe display of the input and output device 42 or the like (Step S95).Then, the navigation device 40 causes the user to input the validityperiod of the rewritten software via the validity period selectionscreen.

More specifically, on the validity period selection screen, thenavigation device 40 displays a message such as “Please select thevalidity period of the software” and also displays the operation buttonscorresponding to “1 day (price: 500 yen)” and “1 year (price: 5000 yen)”on the display of the input and output device 42, and the user isprompted to enter a desired validity period using the operation buttons.

Then, the navigation device 40 displays a usage reservation screen forinputting the vehicle ID, the scheduled entry date and time, thescheduled exit date and time, and the like on the display of the inputand output device 42 (Step S96). Then, the navigation device 40 causesthe user to make a usage reservation for the selected parking lot viathe usage reservation screen and ends the usage reservation processillustrated in FIG. 11.

Example of Display Screen of Navigation Device

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, an example of a display screendisplayed by the navigation device 40 in Step S89 described above willbe described. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the navigation device 40displays a first icon Ic1 (for example, yellow icon) at a positioncorresponding to a parking lot (parking lot searched in Step S83) wherethe vehicle M can be parked by the current automatic driving performanceon the map displayed on a display D of the input and output device 42.On the other hand, the navigation device 40 displays a second icon Ic2(for example, red icon) of a type different from that of the first iconIc1 at a position corresponding to a parking lot (parking lot searchedin Step S87) where the vehicle M can be parked by the automatic drivingperformance after the change on the map.

Therefore, by referring to the first icon Ic1 and the second icon Ic2displayed on the display D, the user can distinguish between the parkinglot where the vehicle M can be parked by the current autonomous drivingperformance and the parking lot where the vehicle M can be parked by thesearched automatic driving performance after the change and can know thelocation of each parking lot. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, theuser can know that, by rewriting the software of the vehicle M, itbecomes possible to park in the parking lot close to (for example,adjacent to) the destination.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the navigation device 40 may displaya message Ms on the display D informing that the vehicle M can be parkedat the parking lot of the second icon Ic2 by rewriting the software. Asa result, the user can easily know that the vehicle M can be parked atthe parking lot of the second icon Ic2 by rewriting the software.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and canbe appropriately modified, improved, and the like.

For example, in the embodiment described above, an example is describedin which the first performance acquisition unit 44, the secondperformance acquisition unit 45, and the processing unit 46 are providedin the navigation device 40 and the notification device for notifyingthe parking lot in which the vehicle M can be parked is realized by thenavigation device 40, but the invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the first performance acquisition unit 44, the secondperformance acquisition unit 45, and the processing unit 46 may beprovided in the terminal device 300 and the notification device fornotifying the parking lot in which the vehicle M can be parked may berealized by the terminal device 300.

Similarly, the notification device for notifying the parking lot inwhich the vehicle M can be parked may be realized by the automaticdriving control device 100. Here, the automatic driving control device100 may notify the parking lot in which the vehicle M can be parked byusing, for example, the display of the input and output device 20.

Further, in the embodiment described above, an example of executing therewriting process in the parking lot PA is described, but the inventionis not limited thereto. The place where the rewriting process isexecuted may be a place where the vehicle M is systematically parked(stopped) and the software rewriting device 60 can acquire informationindicating the scheduled parking time (scheduled stop time). The placewhere the rewriting process is executed is not limited to a publicparking lot such as a parking lot PA, but may be a parking lot at anindividual's home.

Further, in the embodiment described above, an example in which a movingbody is a vehicle is described, but the invention is not limitedthereto. The idea of the invention can be applied not only to vehiclesbut also to robots, ships, aircrafts, and the likes which have a drivesource and can move by the power of the drive source. Similarly, theaccommodation area may be a hangar, a berth, a parking apron, or thelike.

At least the following matters are described in the specification. Thecomponents and the like corresponding to those of the embodimentdescribed above are shown in parentheses, but the invention is notlimited thereto.

(1) A software rewriting device (software rewriting device 60)configured to rewrite software of a moving body (vehicle M), the deviceincluding:

a rewriting processing unit (rewriting processing unit 621) configuredto execute a rewriting process of rewriting the software; and

a communication unit (communication unit 630) configured to communicatewith an accommodation area management device (parking lot managementdevice 400) managing an accommodation area (parking lot PA) capable ofaccommodating the moving body, in which

when the moving body executes the rewriting process in the accommodationarea, the communication unit notifies execution of the rewriting processto the accommodation area management device.

According to (1), when the moving body executes the rewriting process inthe accommodation area, the execution of the rewriting process isnotified to the accommodation area management device managing theaccommodation area. Therefore, the software of the moving body can beappropriately rewritten in the accommodation area managed by theaccommodation area management device.

(2) The software rewriting device according to (1), in which

when the rewriting process is completed, the communication unit notifiescompletion of the rewriting process to the accommodation area managementdevice.

According to (2), when the rewriting process is completed, thecompletion of the rewriting process is notified to the accommodationarea management device. Therefore, the software of the moving body canbe appropriately rewritten in the accommodation area managed by theaccommodation area management device.

(3) The software rewriting device according to (1) or (2), in which

the communication unit is further configured to communicate with anotherdevice that distributes the software,

the rewriting process is a process of rewriting the software of themoving body with the software received from the other device,

the moving body is accommodated in an accommodation position designatedby the accommodation area management device, and

when the rewriting process is executed, and when the moving body isaccommodated at a first accommodation position where a communicationenvironment with the communication unit and the other device is lowerthan a predetermined level, the communication unit requests theaccommodation area management device to guide the moving body to asecond accommodation position where the communication environment ishigher than or equal to the predetermined level.

According to (3), when the rewriting process is executed, if the movingbody is accommodated at the first accommodation position where thecommunication environment is lower than the predetermined level, thecommunication unit requests the accommodation area management device toguide the moving body to a second accommodation position where thecommunication environment is higher than or equal to the predeterminedlevel. Therefore, the opportunity of accommodating the moving body onwhich the rewriting process is to be executed at the secondaccommodation position where the communication environment is higherthan or equal to the predetermined level can be increased.

(4) The software rewriting device according to (3), in which

when the moving body is accommodated at the second accommodationposition designated by the accommodation area management device afterrequesting the accommodation area management device to guide the movingbody to the second accommodation position, the rewriting process isexecuted.

According to (4), when the moving body is accommodated at the secondaccommodation position where the communication environment is higherthan or equal to the predetermined level according to the instructionfrom the accommodation area management device, the rewriting process isexecuted. Therefore, the rewriting process can be executed in anenvironment where the software can be smoothly received from anotherdevice.

(5) The software rewriting device according to any one of (1) to (4), inwhich

the communication unit is further configured to communicate with aterminal device of a user of the moving body, and

when the rewriting process is executed, the communication unit notifiesexecution of the rewriting process to the terminal device.

According to (5), when the rewriting process is executed, the executionof the rewriting process is notified to the terminal device of the userof the moving body. Therefore, the user can act while understanding thatthe moving body cannot be used for a while, and the convenience of theuser is improved.

(6) The software rewriting device according to (5), in which

when the rewriting process is completed, the communication unit notifiescompletion of the rewriting process to the terminal device.

According to (6), when the rewriting process is completed, thecompletion of the rewriting process is notified to the terminal device.Therefore, the user understands that the moving body cannot be used, andthe convenience of the user is improved.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A software rewriting device, configured torewrite software of a moving body, comprising: a rewriting processingunit configured to execute a rewriting process of rewriting thesoftware; and a communication unit configured to communicate with anaccommodation area management device managing an accommodation area foraccommodating the moving body, wherein when the moving body executes therewriting process in the accommodation area, the communication unitnotifies execution of the rewriting process to the accommodation areamanagement device, the communication unit is further configured tocommunicate with another device that distributes the software; therewriting process is a process of rewriting the software of the movingbody with the software received from the other device; the moving bodyis accommodated in an accommodation position designated by theaccommodation area management device; and when the rewriting process isexecuted, and when the moving body is accommodated at a firstaccommodation position where a communication environment with thecommunication unit and the other device is lower than a predeterminedlevel, the communication unit requests the accommodation area managementdevice to guide the moving body to a second accommodation position wherethe communication environment is higher than or equal to thepredetermined level.
 2. The software rewriting device according to claim1, wherein when the rewriting process is completed, the communicationunit notifies completion of the rewriting process to the accommodationarea management device.
 3. The software rewriting device according toclaim 1, wherein when the moving body is accommodated at the secondaccommodation position designated by the accommodation area managementdevice after requesting the accommodation area management device toguide the moving body to the second accommodation position, therewriting process is executed.
 4. The software rewriting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: the communication unit is furtherconfigured to communicate with a terminal device of a user of the movingbody; and when the rewriting process is executed, the communication unitnotifies execution of the rewriting process to the terminal device. 5.The software rewriting device according to claim 4, wherein when therewriting process is completed, the communication unit notifiescompletion of the rewriting process to the terminal device.